Elkeles, Simone. Rules of Attraction

Elkeles, Simone. Rules of Attraction
Walker & Co 2010 326p 16.99
978-0-8027-2085-6 hs Multicultural E-BN

Carlos is remanded to live with a college professor and his family after being set up in a drug search at high school. Carlos, a bit of a smart aleck and no fan of rules, learns about love as he falls for the daughter of the professor. A feel good novel. Grades 8-12.
A sequel to Perfect Chemistry, that is similar in theme. Carlos, a Mexican American, living with his brother Alex in Colorado Springs misses his gang friends in Chicago, Carlos is dismayed when he is set up during a drug search at school by a drug dealer who has merged his drug operation with the Chicago gang. Because Carlos won’t snitch, he is remanded to live with a college professor, his wife and two children, ever mindful that the drug dealer will extract a payment from Carlos. Carlos, never a fan of rules, has a hard time settling into the professor’s family life. He and Kiara, also a high school student, butt heads over almost everything. Carlos tries to stay tough, but finds himself warming up to the unconditional love of the parents. Told in alternating chapters between Carlos and Kiara, there is humor, playful insults, and finally a realization by Kiara that Carlos is really a good guy under his bravado and machismo. Love between them blossoms through a set of challenges that they throw at each other. An insightful look at the life of a troubled Mexican American who is placed in an affluent white household. The ending is rip-roaring dangerous. Great feel good reading. Grades 8-12.
Strongly recommended where Perfect Chemistry was popular. Insightful look at the life of a troubled Mexican American who is placed in an affluent white household. A truly feel good story that will be requested by girls in grades 8-12. McNicol,Lois

Elkeles, Simone Perfect Chemistry
Walker & Co 2009 360p 9.99 9780802798220 hs

Alex Fuentes is a gang member. Brittany Ellis is a blonde cheerleader from a wealthy family. Two teenagers from different worlds are about to collide and crossover boundaries into an unknown destiny of love and discovery. What transpires is a perfect chemistry that will have everyone questioning their values, feelings and reevaluating of their lives. A must read! Brittany appears to be the perfect golden girl head cheerleader, blonde wind blown hair, blue eyes, good grades and dating the captain of the football team. What no one knows is that Brittany leads a secret life full of family problems and is dealing with the care of a beloved sister that suffers from cerebral palsy.

Alejandro “Alex” fuentes is a gang member, owns a motorcycle, and acts like he is the man to be feared on campus. The truth; Alex fears for his two younger brothers and is hoping to be able to keep them from joining the gang. He is going to make sure they have a future even if it means he will have to sacrifice himself.

Then comes the day when school starts and in chemistry class the perfect girl has to sit next to the “mean” gang member. Mrs. Peterson the chemistry teacher is a teacher to be reckoned with and what she says goes. The project should have been simple but life is not simple and love is fickle. When Brittany and Alex sit next to each other and must interact with each other sparks always fly. But are these sparks the beginning of something else. The crossover is not easy and leaving the gang is not like getting out of a club. The choices these two teens face is full of questions, uncertainties, strange friendships, violence and even death.
Teens will love this book!!! MD

Perfect Chemistry.

Elkeles, Simone. Perfect Chemistry.
Walker & Co 2009 360p 9.99 9780802798220 hs

Alex Fuentes is a gang member. Brittany Ellis is a blonde cheerleader from a wealthy family. Two teenagers from different worlds are about to collide and crossover boundaries into an unknown destiny of love and discovery. What transpires is a perfect chemistry that will have everyone questioning their values, feelings and reevaluating of their lives. A must read! Brittany appears to be the perfect golden girl head cheerleader, blonde wind blown hair, blue eyes, good grades and dating the captain of the football team. What no one knows is that Brittany leads a secret life full of family problems and is dealing with the care of a beloved sister that suffers from cerebral palsy.

Alejandro "Alex" fuentes is a gang member, owns a motorcycle, and acts as if he is the man to be feared on campus. The truth; Alex fears for his two younger brothers and is hoping to be able to keep them from joining the gang. He is going to make sure they have a future even if it means he will have to sacrifice himself.

Then comes the day when school starts and in chemistry class the perfect girl has to sit next to the "mean" gang member. Mrs. Peterson the chemistry teacher is a teacher to be reckoned with and what she says goes. The project should have been simple but life is not simple and love is fickle. When Brittany and Alex sit next to each other and must interact with each other sparks always fly. But are these sparks the beginning of something else? The crossover is not easy and leaving the gang is not like getting out of a club. The choices these two teens face is full of questions, uncertainties, strange friendships, violence and even death.
Teens will love this book!!! MD